Apparatus for aiming guns



R. RIBEROLLES APPARATUS FOR AIMING GUNS Dec. 12, 1933.

Filed July 29, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l RENE RIBEROLLE5- l NVEN TOR ZM MWQ ATTORNEYS Dec. 12, 1933. R. RIBEROLLES 1,939,367

APPARATUS FOR AIMING GUNS Filed July 29, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR ATTORNEYS UUUUU minim:

HHEI H i -l 2 1 .HHEI H$ atented Dec. 12, 1933 STATES APPARATUS FORAIMING GUNS Rene Riberoll es, laris, France 12 Claims. ((1235- 615) .o

The object of the present invention is to enable artillery guns to .be aimed in a convenient and accurate manner. n j I Its object in particular is:' v

1. To determine the inclination of the 'gun when the altitude and the site angle of the target to be reached are known.

2. To determine thefuse setting of the projectile'when the altitudeand the site angle of the "target are known.'-

, A device for. aiming guns according to the injvention presents the characteristic features which will appear from the following description and principally from the claims attached at the end of this description. l

Therpreferred form of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which; r v Figure l is a generalfiring diagram permitting the data of the problem to be obtained .l

Figure 2 is a general arrangement of the'gun in elevation with itselevating hand wheel. 1 H

l Figure 3 shows an elevation of the mechanisms adapted to permit the inclination of the'gun and the fuse setting of the projectile to be determined as a function of the altitude and the site angle;

Figure 4 is a section taken along the lines 4-4 in Figure 3.

The manner in which theov arious quantities to be obtained are inter-related in the various mechanisms will first be-described in a general manner.

- In Figurel, C is the gun, and B the targetj'if '2' is inclination of the gun tothe horizontali s the site angle and h the altitudeof thejtarget,"'it;is

over the first that the camoids have smaller variations than the camoid resolving the Formula 1.

The applicant has established the analogous formula:

i=s+C'h.-C'rh+fs (h,'s)

I s I o where C and C1 are constants the application of thisformula is oneofthe mainfeaturesof the invention as well as the particular manner described here'inafter; in which the addition of the terms is effected. I 1 I The complex part- 1s (h, s) will be obtained as stated above by means of a camoidactuatedautomatically as1 afunction"of two; variables defor. example.

PATENT-1 curios Furthenfif Eis the fuse 'settingcorresponding 7 to the distance D rof the' target; we have in the first place: V 3 x v r=rlmgs f4 beinga complex function. v

But it is known that in normal guns it is always sought to makethe fusesetting graduation coincide with the burstingdis'tance D of thegun', on

the ground or at a certain -altitude,-:so that the fuse setting can berepresented approximately by the distance D,-and we are naturally led to write,

witha; coefiicient .of approximate proportionality:

These formulae are identical in form to the tuated as a function of h and D, or it and E.

One of the characteristic features of the invention in this connection consists in replacing D by an approximately equivalent value and in finally "writing i C2 being a constant.

In the embodiments described hereinafter, another characteristic application of the invention consists infe'mployinga common'mechanism for the terms jco'ntaining J v-"jfh i" V is s in theFormulaef l and iv. r

.The determination of the individual elements,

inclinationandfuse settin is, according to the invention,eifected in the following manner:

la) Inclination of the gun (Figures 2, 3 and It is assumed that the site angle .9 is determined separately by meanswhich do not form partof thepresent invention. 1 v A is an oscillating member such asa slotted 7 link pivoted about a-point O; The rotation'of this link about this point is' controlled by ashaft a en- 6 fining the position of the targetgs'uch as h and s {ing with another toothed wheel e2. V I splined so that it can slide upon the shaft A1 form two nuts E1, E2 actuated as a function of the site angle 5 by a first mechanism formedjby two parallel screwsVh'Vz. For this purpose the control for the movement in site s acts upon oneof the screws V1 for example, and a sprocket chain 0114 V or an equivalent connection connects together the screws V1 and V2. p I I The screw V3 carries atoothed wheel 81' mesh- The latter is to follow the movements of the carriage Eland to" remain in engagement with 61.

.. The link A, carries two,circula r guides P1, P2.'

The first-bf these has its Icentre on the shaft 0. v Tl' eis e'coh isjfixediatj anarbitra'ry' point on the idiigitiidiii 'iaxis'tithe link 7 v 1 Transmissio means are actuated by the linkA.

1 These t ans ssidnfmean are formed for example by'a firsthand 1 which passes "over the guides Pi'Pz. This band is attached onrthe one'handto a pulley P rigid with a toothed wheel R, driven by a worm Vfi keyed so as to slide along the exten sionof the firstiscrew' V1?- r The firstjba'nd 1' is'also-attached to apulley P3 provided internally with-a tension spring taand carrying a first pointer or indexinember I1; 7 f Thearrangeni'ent'issuchthat the direction of the band 9* between'iPz and Pr; is parallel to V3.

The directionof thelatterscrew is itself preferably chosen ins'uch away that the extreme positions of the link Awill be quallyjinclined to the re 1 1 Let M be the pointfof intersection of the directionof the'band when'produ'ced and the'axis of the second screw V2. i 1

'' We have: i QL 'J 'Qe where V P2M=%OM m and n being constants. As OM ds "fiXed,

is thus seen that:

, h c h dis a -i sets, I 1 a' h ul er}? i9 wh e t fiisir b T i tached, is connected to the site-movement 3 under itself driven by a nut Edg'mounted upon the fourth screw V4 rigid with the shaft A1 turning as a function of h. Finally-the, wheel'R can turn through s C1h, bychoosing' suitable, scales;

Consequently, in al1,the first pointer 'or index member I the spring controlled pulley Pawhich isdriven by the first bandvj will move through stag-ea V The control for the inclination elevationz' of ,the gun acts upon a third mechanisrn formed by the first and to the second mechanism; for exof these pointers the actionof the first wor'in vfl; The "latter is: movement of the link ample, a camoid K1 is keyed so as to slide upon a shaft A3. This shaft A; is connected to the first mechanism by a worm wheel R6 meshing with a worm Vfv driven by toothed"wheels "es'ei, the toothed wheel e4 being rigid with the first screw V1.

Further, the first camoid K1 is adapted to slide upon its shaft A3 under the action of a finger D2 rigid with the nut E4. This finger D2 is rigid with the nut E4 driven by the screw V4.

, The camoid K thus transmits the combinedproportional to:

The rotation of 'thelatterj'may itherefore be Ifwe ape-as bathe control of ithe inciifiation of, the gun inorder to bring theipolinte'rs or index members 1 and Ii into coincidenca'it isseen that we have at this moment equalized thero'tatioris .and'that we have consequently equated:

which translates the quation 4,

Thus; if the pointers 'Izand I3 hadbenmade L to coincide by operating onthe'mechanism co'nfthe first of the objects of the invention;

I It isto be noted that it is knownito'fobtain 'a quotient of the, form of V ilink', but one characteristic feature of the'present invention consists in the particular combination offthisgsystem with the other mechanisms, and 14 more particularly in indicating therotation oi the link by the use of a band passing over two circular' guides, one fixed to the shaft of the link and the'other to a point on this link, the band lot . V V by means of a combination of nuts controlling a being ithus capableofmaking additional displacements'which are strictly independent of the Itis 'alsol tofbenoted'that actual'ly the-gu'ide' P2 does not describeia StraightlinePzMybut.a'cir be chosen in su'ch'a way that the rotation of' the .link A willbe sufficientlysmall-for:the difference between the arc and thezchord to'be negligible.

'It may also be taken into'account strictly by the Transmission means such as a second band 11.

superposed'on" the'first band r in"Figure 1, 01" guides P1 P2 mounted upon the link A and having the" same; axes astheguides P and P2, re,- 7 ceivethemovementsbtthe'link A But instad ofbeingattached toapulleysuch asP the second hand n will be attached to a fixedipo int N L It is 'cular'arc of'which PzM is the lChOId. Scal'esmay can turn through:

seen that a pulley mounted like P3 in Figure 1 and carrying a third pointer or index member 13 can displace the latter by the amount corresponding to the term in Equation 7.

' Further, the fuse punch or fuse setter D drives, for example by means of a chain Chz, a fourth mechanism formed by a fourth worm Vf driving a worm wheel R8 and a shaft A4 splined so as to slide in the push rod P7. Connecting means connect the push rod P7 to the second and to the fourth mechanisms; for example, a second camoid K2 is mounted by means of a sliding key or by hexagonal engagement on a shaft A5. This shaft A5 is driven by the fourth mechanism by means of a chain chz. a

A shaft A6 connected to the hand operated mechanism m1 controllingthe movement in altitudeby means of a chain chi drives a nutEs.

The nut E5 carries a finger D3 whichmakes th second camoid K2 slide on its shaft A5. a

' The push rod'Pq carries a worm Vfs driving a worm wheel R9; a fourth pointer or index member I; concentric with the first pointer or index member I3 is rigid with the wheel R9.

It is thus seen that the wheel R9 and consequently the fourth pointer or index member 14 If I4 and I3 are made to coincide thisrotation will be made equal to that of P6, and we will have:

E is thus clearly the fuse setting which corresponds to the site angle and the altitude recorded since it verifies Equation-7., r

It has been obtained automatically by actuating the mechanism controlling the fuse punch or fuse setter D in such a way as to make a pointer connected to this control coincide with another pointer controlled by the elements recorded above, in conformity to the second object of the invention.

1 :What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for aiming a gun, afirst mechanism following the movement of the gun in site, a second mechanism following the movement of the gun in altitude, there being site set- .ting means and altitude setting means associated with the gun and respectively connected to said first and second mechanisms, a link member oscillating about a pivot on said apparatus and connectedto both said first and second mechanisms and controlled thereby, transmission means receiving the combined movements of both the first and second mechanisms and the oscillating ber, and the two firstmechanisms in order to transmit to the second index member an additional movement proportional to the movements ofthe first'mechanism and of the second mechanism, the coincidence of the second indexmember withthe first index member corresponding to the required elevation or inclination of the gun. 2. In an apparatus for aiming a gun, a first connected to both said first and second mecha nisms and controlledthereby, a first guide rigid with the oscillatinglink'member at itsipivotal mechanism following the movement of the gun in 7 site, a second mechanismfollowing the movement I point, a secondguide movable onthe oscillating link member, a connectingband bearing upon the first and second guides so as to receive the. combined movements. of the first and second mechanisms and of said oscillating link member, a first index member actuated by said connecting band,

a third mechanism following the movement of the gun'in'elevation, there being elevating means, a second index member'actuatedby said third mechanism, connecting means. interconnecting the first index member corresponding required elevation of the gun. 1 I 3. In an apparatus for aiming agun, a first mechanism following the movement of the gun to the in site, a secondmechanism following the move-,

ment of the gun in altitude, there beingsite set- V ting means and altitude setting means associated with the gun and respectivelyconnectedto said first and second mechanismaa sliding arm articulated upon a fixed. pivot on said apparatus and connected to the first and second'mechanisms so as to. be operable thereby,'transmission means receiving the combined movements of both the first and second mechanisms and of-the sliding arm, a first index'member actuated by said trans- -mission means,,a third mechanism following the movement of the gun in elevation, there being elevating means, a second index member actuated by said .third mechanism, connecting means interposed between the second index member and the first two mechanisms and said sliding arm in order totransmitto said second index member an additional movement proportional to the -movements of the first mechanism and. of the second mechanism, the coincidence of the second index member with the first index member corresponding to the required elevationror inclinationofthe gun.

'4. In an apparatus for aiming a gun, a screw associated with site setting means so as to be ting means so as tobe rotatable thereby, a link member oscillating upon a fixed pivot,'means' connecting said first and said second screws with the oscillating link member, means connecting saidlink member to said shaft, which latter rotates in altitude, transmission means receiving the combined movements of the first screw-and connected to thesite setting means, of said shaft connected to the altitude setting means and of said oscillatinglinkmember, a first index memi ber-actuated by said transmission means, a, third -mechanism following the movement of the un in elevation, thererbeing elevating means, a second'index member actuated by said third mechanism, and connecting means connecting, said Ii is second" index member 'directly to? said'i' firsti screw which' 'is associate'd -with the site setting means, and to said shaft associated'witlr the'caltitude setting "means;which iconnectingimeans transmit to ting meansfso as was: rotatableathereby, aflinkmember; scillatingi upon -aa pivot; iaT: first' 'znut screwed upon thefirstscretwand'shiftable thereby; a 'se'cond nut mounted iipon theisecondiscrew, a oarriage carriedibv' both thel lfirst iand=seeond mitts, a? third screw borneiijysa'id carriage; a first gears-"rigid" 'ith the thirds screwp-a secondagear meshing i-With i the first?" gear and 's'olelya? driven means:a'third nut 'threadedmpon sa'id'third screw driving thejoscillatingalink niemberg transmission -'means "'receiving the oombined' movements 'of -:the fii st screwi of the first-shaft, and'of said oscil ated by said transmission means; a third me'chanism following the -inovei'nen't ofthe gun :in' elevation; there being elevating -'n'1'eans, ia second in- V dex member actuated by said: thirdfimechanism, E and connecting 'means connecting: said second in- 'dex member :dire'otly to therfirst screw and to' said shaft,- whichco'nnectingmeans transmit-to said N "second index member .an additional movement proportional to: the movements? of the first-screw 1.20 associated-.Withthesite's'ettingfmeans and to the movements of r the shait which is associated with the 'f altitude setting means, -thei=coinci-dence iof the-second iridex: member '--with' the first index -'memlier-rcorresponding to the required elevation 6." In an apparatus 'for'aiming akgun f *first mechanism followingfthe movement of the gun in i i site;asecond'mechanism following themovement of the a gun in altitude, 'there being sitesetting "means and altitude setting means associatedwith the gun -and respeotivelyxconnected to said first andi second mechanisms; a link *m'emoer osciliat- 3' ingabout a -fixedipivot on said apparatus and'con nected to 'both'said: first 'and s'econd imechanisms and controlle'd "thereby? a: screw? associated:- with it ihg e evatin and controlled by said second mechanismpanut 'dr-ivenhy 'saidscrew;:aworn? carried by said'nut and operated-by said first 'xnechanismyafpul'ley driven hy saidiivorm; a: guide i ri'gi'd with the"os- 3 o cil lating-link'l member at its :pointio a oscillation,

a ?'second-'. guide inovable on said osoillating link member, connecting -band connectedwto ysaid p'ul'ley' 'and "bearing uponwsaid and; second ."guides in order toreceive the combi-ned movemerits of death the iirst andst-:cohitl, mechanisms and said link in-ember which is=controlled hythe i 1att'er,'-a first index member -actiuatedfoy said F connecting band, third mechanisnii ollovving the movement of the gun in'elevatio there bea seeonu index nher'aofv tuated by :said third mechani's" 1 connecting means comi'eotiiig sai'd s'e'oorlddndex W' li the' "st and se'oondin ani'sinsg wh ting mean's transmit/ o I inembe an:additional movemeiit broportienal to said-secondindex member an'fadditionalmove- Joyztheshaftassociatedmvith "the 1 altitude" setting lating link member; a first "index member a'ctu-l member an. a'dditional mov the movements-of thefirst-and second mocha? nisms, the coincidence-of the second index, menu.- "her: with the I f rst rindex" member corresponding to the required elevation of the gun. r t

'7. In an anparatus for aiming a gun, a first mechanism following themovement'of the gun in site, a second mechanism following the movement of theigun in altitude, there-being site setting .means and altitude setting means associated with the gun and respectively connectedito said; first and second :mechahisms, a linkmen'iher oscillating about a.- fixed; pivot on said apparatus. and connected to both said first and second mechaln'i-sms 'z-c'and' :controlled "thereby; transmission :means receiving-the cornbinedmovements of;both* the first a'nd second mechanisms and the oscillati'ngl linkamember, a first index member actuated '{loy said transmission means; afirst wormasso ciated with the elevating means'of the gunso as to 'be rotatable thereby in following the 111lovement of the gum-in elevation; there beingrelevating-w meana ayshaft actuated by firstiworm,

'a'ipushrodslidablyisplined upon said'shaft, con

nesting ineansoonnec'tingsaid push rod Withsaid 'firstwneehanisznt and said second mechanism,

*Which tconnectingmeans transmit 'toisaid push' -rod amombined movement "proporti'onalto the a 8. In an apparatus foraimihg a gun, a first inechanismiollowing the movement of the gun in site, a second mechanism following the move ment of the gun in aititude; there being site setting means and altitude setting means associated with *theggun and;respectivelyr connected to said I fir st and second mechanisms, a link .memberi oscillating about a pivot, -fixedion. said? apparatus and connected-to both' said" first 1 and"; second zgmechanisrns and oontrolledthereby; transmis- I 'sion means associated with *both said first 5 and f-secon'd' mechanisms Landsaid oscillating. link 'member so as to receive the cenibineol'movements -th'ereof; a first index member actuated: by. said transmission means, a third mechanismffoll'owing the movement of the gulliilfti'lvatio yihere being elevating tmeans; a second-index member aidgthird mechanism; .aish'aft: actuated by sa d first" meclianismi'and aprovided i-With i a canio'id slidably: splined ithereonisw as to" posi- -:-tive1y: rotatei' therewith? and falso caused :to slide upon said shait*by means of said second. mechamateurs "'ngi-tr e: gun :niovenient i in altitude, which icam transnits' the secondziindex -.e'nt proportional to i the movements iof the first and second mechanisms'; the" coincidence "said: firstaandiseoond -index 'm'embers corresponding i\vith:therequired ielevationi of ;the gun. v v to.

Quin-l en": apparatus; for; aiming at gun," a -first gm'echanismi following theymovement act: the; gun

' inisite; a"s'e'cond mechanismfollowingthe movez'mentfiof :the fg'un in altitude, there: being site setting? means and altitude tsettingij means associa'te with the' -gun*and' frespectively connected "to' said-{first and second rhechanisrns, means ii for setting the fuse of a -p'i'ojec'tile'g a1i -o'scil-l'abie niember'=pivotedat afix'ed poiht' upon said apparatus and assoeiatemwith: oath the -first -and: 56601111 i i-s mechanisms and controlled thereby, transmission means adapted to receive the movements of said oscillable member, a fuse setting mechanism associated with said means for setting the fuse of the projectile, a fuse setting index member associated with the transmission means and controlled thereby, a second fuse setting index member actuated by said fuse setting mechanism, connecting means interposed between said second fuse setting index member and said second mechanism comprising a shaft carrying a slidable camoid which is keyed thereon so as to be positively rotatable with said shaft, a worm gear mounted upon said shaft, a worm meshing with said worm gear, a push rod in contact with said camoid, and rotatable means associated with said connecting means in the form of a second worm gear and a second shaft, a worm engaging said second worm gear and connected to said first worm, and a rotatable screw connectedto said first mechanism and having a. nut thereon adapted to longitudinally shift said camoid, which interposed connecting means are controlled by said fuse setting means and impart to said second fuse setting index member an additional movement proportional to the combination of the movements of said second mechanism and said fuse setting mechanism, the coincidence of the second fuse setting index member with the first, fuse setting index member corresponding to the required fuse setting of the projectile.

10. In an apparatus for aiming a gun, a first mechanism following the movement of the gun in site, a second mechanism following the move ment of the gun in altitude, there being site setting means and altitude setting means associated with the gun and respectively connected to said first and second mechanisms, a third mechanism including a pair of parallel interconnected and rotatable screws associated with said first mechanism following the movement,

of the gun in site, a fourth mechanism including a shaft generally parallel with said screws and following the movement of the gun in altitude, an oscillable member pivoted at a fixed point upon said apparatus and controlled by said screws and said shaft, a first fuse setting guide rigid with said oscillable member at the point of oscillation thereof, a second fuse setting guide movably disposed on said oscillable member, a fuse setting band which is fixed at one end and bearing both upon the first fuse setting guide and also upon the second fuse setting guide, in order that said fuse setting band will receive the movements of said oscillable member, a first fuse setting index member actuated by said fuse setting band, a fuse setting mechanism associated with aforesaid means for setting the fuse of the projectile, a second fuse setting index member actuated by said fuse setting mechanism, connecting means interposed between said second fuse setting index member and aforesaid second mechanism and imparting to the second fuse setting index member an additional movement which is proportional to the combination of the movement of said second mechanism with the movement of the fuse setting mechanism.

, 11. In an apparatus for aiming a gun, a first mechanism following the movement of the gun in site, a second mechanism following the movement of the gun in altitude, there being site setting means and altitude setting means associated with the gun and respectively connected to said first and second mechanisms, a third mechanism including a pair of parallel interconnected and rotatable screws associated with said first mechanism following the movement of the gun in site, a fourth mechanism including a shaft generally parallel with said screws and following the move- 7 a fuse setting push rod slidably splined upon said fuse setting shaft so asto positively rotate with the shaft, a second fuse setting Worm rigid with said push rod, a first fuse setting index member actuated by said second fuse setting worm, connecting means interposed between said fuse setting push rod on the onehand and both the second mechanism and the fuse setting mechanism on the other hand, which connecting means im-' parts to said fuse setting push rod an additional movement proportional to the combination of the movement of the second mechanism with the movement of the fuse setting mechanism, a second fuse setting index member also actuated by said second fuse setting worm, which second fuse setting index memberv follows the combined movements of the gun in altitude and the set-.

ting of the fuse, the coincidence of the second fuse setting index member with the first fuse setting index member corresponding tothe required fuse setting of the projectile.-

12. In an apparatus for aiming a gun, a first mechanism following the movement of the gun in site, a second mechanism following the movement of the gun in altitude, there being site setting means and altitude setting means associated with the gun and respectively connected to said first and second mechanisms, means for setting the fuse of a projectile, a third mechanism including a pair of parallel interconnected screws associated with the site setting means and following the gun movement in site, an oscillable member pivoted at a fixed point upon the apparatus and controlled by one of said screws, a fourth mechanism including a rotatable shaft associated with the altitude setting means so as to follow the movement of the gun in altitude and also controlling said oscillable member, transmission means adapted to receive. the movements of said oscillable member, a fuse setting index member actuated by said transmission means, a fuse setting mechanism including a worm and a worm gear both meshing therewith and having a second worm rotatable with said worm gear, which fuse setting mechanism follows the movements of the fuse setting means of the gun, a second fuse setting index member actuated by the fuse setting mechanism, an auxiliary fuse setting shaft actuated by the fuse setting mechanism, a fuse setting camoid slidably splined-on said auxiliary fuse setting shaft so as to be positively rotatable with the same shaft and slidable thereon by-actuation from the second mechanism following. the movement of the gun in altitude, which camoid imparts to the second fuse setting index member an additional movement proportional to the combined movements of the second mechanism and the fuse setting mechanism, the coincidence of the second fuse setting index member with the first fuse E E RIBEROLLES. 

